Analysis
A 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests manageable borrowing for a marketing degree, though both figures here come from national peer programs rather than Montana's own graduates. Based on what similar marketing programs nationally produce, you'd be looking at roughly $22,600 in debt against first-year earnings around $44,700βmeaning your child could reasonably handle the loan payments on a typical starting salary.
The challenge is Montana's limited marketing job market. With only three schools offering this degree statewide and Missoula's relatively small business community, your child might need to relocate to find opportunities that match those national salary benchmarks. Cities like Denver, Seattle, or Boise could be more realistic landing spots than staying in-state, which adds complexity to the post-graduation picture that the numbers alone don't capture.
The wide admission rate and modest test scores at Montana suggest this program serves students across a broad academic spectrum, which can mean variable job placement support and employer connections. Given that we're working entirely from estimates here, visit campus and ask specific questions: Where do marketing graduates actually end up working? What percentage stay in Montana versus relocate? What's the alumni network like in markets where marketing jobs cluster? The financial picture looks reasonable on paper, but the lack of reported data means you'll need to do more legwork to understand whether Montana specifically delivers the connections and outcomes your child needs.
Where The University of Montana Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all marketing bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Marketing bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally
Scroll to see more β
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,152 | $44,728* | β | $22,587* | β | |
| $66,104 | $82,553* | $117,639 | $17,412* | 0.21 | |
| $65,081 | $74,819* | $95,343 | $17,000* | 0.23 | |
| $64,772 | $70,868* | $71,936 | $26,000* | 0.37 | |
| $62,982 | $70,819* | β | $17,500* | 0.25 | |
| $64,701 | $69,633* | $79,586 | $26,962* | 0.39 | |
| National Median | β | $44,728* | β | $24,267* | 0.54 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with marketing graduates
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Marketing Managers
Sales Managers
Fundraising Managers
Web and Digital Interface Designers
Video Game Designers
Business Teachers, Postsecondary
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Search Marketing Strategists
Fundraisers
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The University of Montana, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 502 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.